Cat lover's reading guide
You might have seen our 'Dog lover's reading guide' last week, but we can assure you that here at Readings we love cats just as much as dogs – though unfortunately, it's rarer for them to visit our shops. So we had to make sure they got the attention they deserve with their very own reading guide!
There's a wealth of great cat books out there, but here's our pick of the bunch. Whether you're young or old, looking for fiction, nonfiction or poetry, this list will have something for any cat lover.
For anyone with a love of cats . . .
Minka and Curdy: The Enchanting Story of a Writer and Her Cats by Antonia White
Described as one of the most enchanting books about cats ever written, Minka and Curdy follows the adventures, and misadventures, of two very different kittens.
Victoria, a real tyrant of a cat, spent so many years training her owner that Mrs Bell feels it would be disrespectful to replace that formidable creature. But her resolve is worn down, and she finally agrees to take a marmalade kitten – and is immediately offered a Siamese that she also simply cannot resist. This is the story of a writer seduced by the contrasting charms of two kittens: Curdy, lively and mischievous; and Minka, elegant, imperious, and disdainful of the ginger upstart.
To get your little ones invested in cats early . . .
The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel, illustrated by Danny Snell
Along with his human, Yacoub, Tinka travels roads wide and narrow, near and distant. But no matter how much they travel, home feels very far away – for both of them.
Yacoub drives his truck to make a living, learning the landscape of a new country along the way, and longing for connection. When Tinka and Yacoub are unexpectedly separated, they are determined to find their way back to each other – and, in doing so, might find more than they expected . . .
For young readers with a love of cats . . .
Cat of Death! (Cat on the Run: Episode 1) by Aaron Blabey
What happens when the World's #1 Cat Video Star gets accused of a crime she didn’t commit? She becomes a Cat on the Run, that’s what.
But how do you avoid capture and prove your innocence when you are the most famous feline on the planet?! Well, it ain’t easy . . .
For older readers, looking for romance . . .
Love from Scratch by Amy Hutton
Hazel Conor has a problem: she's just lost her job as a sous chef at the fancy beachside restaurant she uphauled her life for. And if she doesn't get another job soon, she won't be able to afford food – or worse, cat food, and then her grouchy cat Kevin will finally murder her in her sleep. So when she sees Ethan James' ad for an easy dog minder job, she goes for it.
Hazel finds everything about Ethan annoying; she probably wouldn't look at him twice if it wasn't for her cat. Because Kevin, the cat who hates everyone, is totally smitten with Ethan James. And with each purr, cheek rub and head bump that Kevin bestows on Ethan, Hazel begins to wonder if there's something her cat can see that she can't.
For cosy translated fiction . . .
We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida, translated by E. Madison Shimoda
A cat a day keeps the doctor away . . .
On the top floor of an old building at the end of a cobbled alley in Kyoto lies the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul. Only a select few – those who feel genuine emotional pain – can find it.
The mysterious centre offers a unique treatment for its troubled patients: it prescribes cats as medication.
For those wanting to understand the meaning behind their cat's meows . . .
The Hidden Language of Cats by Dr Sarah Brown
Cat lovers will know all too well that one of the characteristics they admire most is their cat's ability to remain mysterious, but new and seasoned owners alike will also know that because of this we often misread their signals and some of their behaviours still perplex us.
Dr Sarah Brown, a renowned cat behaviourist and a leading charge at the forefront of research in the field, reveals the previously unexplored secrets of cat communication. By understanding how your cat communicates and what their behaviours really mean, you can build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your cat.
For an imaginative look at the secret world of cats . . .
Cats of the Louvre by Taiyo Matsumoto, translated by Michael Arias
A surreal tale of the secret world of the cats of the Louvre, told by Eisner Award winner Taiyo Matsumoto.
The world-renowned Louvre museum in Paris contains more than just the most famous works of art in history. At night, within its darkened galleries, an unseen and surreal world comes alive – a world witnessed only by the small family of cats that lives in the attic. Until now . . .
For a poetic ode to cats . . .
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot, illustrated by illustrated by Júlia Sardà
'The naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.'
So begins one of the best-known poetry collections of all time. The practical cats need no introduction, but this stunning new full-colour version, illustrated by Júlia Sardà, is enchanting and highly original interpretation.
For those who know no home is complete without a cat . . .
Where They Purr: Inspirational Interiors and the Cats Who Call Them Home by Paul Barbera
Where They Purr showcases twenty-eight inspirational houses and their creative interiors, along with the charismatic felines who call these places home. From a heritage-listed Victorian terrace to a modern farmhouse with panoramic vistas, an art-filled inner-city warehouse to a cosy rental that reveals the power of classic pieces and clever design, discover each cat’s domain and their predilection for sunlit nooks, mid-century furniture or rooms with a view.
Paul Barbera's stunning photography captures these enviable homes and the enigmatic qualities of our most contrary of domestic companions.
For the crafty cat ladies . . .
Crocheted Cats by Vanessa Mooncie
If you are firmly in the 'cat person' camp, get your paws on this book of stunning crochet patterns. With 10 breeds to choose from, these furry pals are astonishingly lifelike and carefully crafted to be accurate down to the last detail.
With a variety of poses and stances, you can recreate the cat of your choice, from Maine coon to Bengal; this adorable collection is a cat-lover's paradise. Each project includes detailed patterns, stunning photographs and helpful hand-drawn charts.
